Portable video game and video player device holder

ABSTRACT

A portable video game and video playback holder for holding a portable video game and video playback device. The holder includes a tiltable tray, a frame portion to which the tray is pivotally mounted, the tray being adapted to retain a portable video game and video playback device and including audio speakers, and a mechanism for the tiltable tray to be retained in at least two discrete tilt positions relative to the frame portion. The device also includes straps for detachably attaching the portable video game and video playback holder to another object, such as an automotive headrest. The device includes electrical connectors adapted for electrically connecting the portable video game and video playback holder to a portable video game and video playback device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Portable video game and video playback devices, such as the Sony® Play Station Portable®, or PSP®, and Nintendo® Game Boy® and Nintendo DS® devices are popular among not just children, but adolescent and adults who appreciate the ability to view videos and play high resolution games in a small, portable device. These types of video game and video playback devices are designed to be held in a user's hand with the features manipulated by a user's two thumbs or other fingers at sides of one or two displays. Although these video game and video playback devices possess great video processing and computing power, they are small and compact and are basically designed for a single user/viewer. In the case of two or more viewers wishing to view a video or a game, this is difficult as the controls are not readily accessible if the portable device is not being held in a user's hands.

Many motor vehicles are now equipped with onboard DVD players and display screens. Some motor vehicles provide the display screen or screens in a ceiling console. In other motor vehicles, the LCD screens are installed in the back of the headrests of the front seats. If a vehicle does not already come equipped with a LCD screen installed in the back of a headrest, then it can be retrofitted with an aftermarket LCD screen. Some of these existing LCD screens are adapted to be connected with an external DVD player, and others have the DVD player built in. These retrofitable DVD player systems do not have video gaming features and have a static LCD screen position once fitted to the back of a headrest.

It would therefore be convenient to have provided a video game and video playback device holder that is adapted to detachably attach to a motor vehicle's headrest and is adapted to position a user's preexisting portable video game and video playback device such that it can be viewed by one or more individuals and operate without being held in a person's hands. The holder preferably includes a control device to permit the portable video game and video playback device to be operated without grasping the portable video game and video playback device or the holder for same.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder of the invention used to retain a video game and video playback device to the back of an automotive headrest.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder of FIG. 1 holding an exemplary video game and video playback device in its untilted position.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder of FIG. 1 in an untilted position.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder in a tilted position.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder of FIG. 1 showing its attachment straps and an optional tilt stand.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder of FIG. 1 showing its stand being used to prop up on a Support surface.

FIG. 7 is a detail showing an exemplary embodiment of a tilt mechanism of the video game and video playback device holder of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder of FIG. 1

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder 10 of the invention used to retain a video game and video playback device 12 to the back of an automotive headrest 14. The holder includes a tintable tray portion (not shown) held within a frame portion 16. The tray portion has an upper rim 18 and a lower rim 20. The upper rim has detachable attachment means 22, such as thumbscrews that are used to retain the video game and video playback device 12 in place. The video game and video playback device holder 10 includes straps 24 and 26 for detachably attaching the video game and video playback device holder 10 to the back of the headrest 14. The video game and video playback device holder 10 includes speakers 28. A control device 30 is connectable via a cable 32 to the video game and video playback device 12 to control features thereof and permit a user who is not holding the video game and video playback device 12 in his or her hands to control the video game and video playback device 12. It is also possible for the control device 30 to be wireless. The frame portion 16 has an indentation 52 formed on a lower middle wall 54 thereof. As shown, the video game and video playback device 12 has a display screen 40 and sets of control buttons 42 and 44 that can also be accessed by the user if desired. The upper and lower rims 18 and 20, respectively, are also shown.

FIG. 2 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder 10 of FIG. 1 holding the exemplary video game and video playback device 12 in an untilted position. In the untilted position, the face of the display screen 40 of the video game and video playback device 12 is generally parallel to a plane of the face 46 of the video game and video playback device holder 10.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder 10 of FIG. 1 shown in its untilted position. The holder includes a tiltable tray portion 34. The tiltable tray portion 32 has an upper rim 18 and a lower rim 20, and two side rims 36 that extend from a back wall 38. The upper rim 18 has the detachable attachment means 29, such as the thumbscrews 22. The lower rim 20 has protrusions 50 extending therefrom which, together with the thumbscrews 22, can be used to retain the video game and video playback device (not shown) within the frame portion 16. The back wall 38, upper rim 18, lower rim 20 and side rims 36 of the tiltable tray 34 are designed to define a space to receive and hold the video game and video playback device (not shown). The frame portion 16 has an indentation 52 formed on a lower middle wall 54 thereof. This indentation 52 allows a user to push on a lower front portion of the video game and video playback device (not shown) or on the lower rim 20 of the tiltable tray 34, which is accessible due to the presence of the indentation 52. This will cause the tiltable tray portion 34 to tilt relative to the frame portion 16 and assume the position shown in FIG. 4, which is a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder 10 and video game and video playback device of FIG. 2, but in a tilted position. By pushing on the upper rim 18 of the tiltable tray 34 or on an upper front of the video game and video playback device, this will return the tiltable tray 34 and the retained video game and video playback device 12 back to its untilted position.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder 10 of FIG. 1 showing it attachment straps 24 and 26 (with interruptions being shown therein), and a deployable stand 60 extending from a back wall 62. The video game and video playback device holder 10 has strap retainers formed on the back wall 62 through which the attachment straps 24 and 26 can be passed. Other means to retain the straps 24 and 26 can be used. The deployable stand 60 is shown in its undeployed position, where it is snapped into the back wall 62. Detachably attachable clips or buckets 66 on the straps 24 and 26 can be used to engage the straps 24 and 26 with the headrest (not shown.)

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder 10 of FIG. 1 showing the deployable stand 60 being moved to its deployed position from the back wall 62 and used to prop up the holder 10 on a flat surface. In this position, users can view and operate the video game and video playback device 12 without needing to hold the device. This provides another optional way to use the holder 10.

FIG. 7 is a detail showing one side of an exemplary embodiment of a tilt mechanism 70 of the video game and video playback device holder 10, which is located inside of the holder 10. The tilt mechanism comprises the tiltable tray 34 having shafts 72 that extend laterally from both side rims 36 of tiltable tray 34. The shafts 72 are rotatably seated in carriers 74 formed inside the frame portion 16. The carriers 74 extend upwardly from an inside back wall 86 of the frame portion 16. Not shown is an upper carrier that allows the shaft 72 and tray 34 to rotate but not lift out of the carrier 74. Also extending laterally from the side rims 36 of tiltable tray 34 are lock extensions 76. These lock extensions 76 have untilted position aperture 78 and tilted position aperture 80 formed therein to form first connectors Extending from the frame portion 16 and aligned to intercept the openings 78 and 80 in the lock extensions 76, are tabs 82 which each have a protrusion 84 formed thereon (to form second connectors) which protrusion will snap into either of the untilted position aperture 78 and tilted position aperture 80, depending on whether the tiltable tray 34 is untilted or tilted. The tabs 82 extend upwardly from the inside back wall 86 of the frame portion 16. Due to flexibility of the tabs 82, a user can move tilt the tiltable tray 34 to establish the desired tilted, or untilted position. While two apertures 78 and 80 are shown, the device can have more apertures (to establish additional degrees of tilting) if desired. If desired, the relative position of the apertures 78 and 80, and the protrusion 84 on the tabs 82 can be reversed, if desired. The detail view is just one exemplary way to form the tilting mechanism, it being understood that other tilting and tilt lock mechanism can be used. In order to prevent the tiltable try 34 from being tilted upwardly, an intercepting wall or other protrusion (not shown) can be formed on either the back side of the tiltable tray and/or can extend upwardly from the inside back wall 86 of the frame portion.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of the video game and video playback device holder 10 of FIG. 1 and shows plugs 90 and 92 and jacks 94 and 96 that can extend from the bottom wall 86 of the video game and video playback device holder 10. These jacks 94 and 96 are available to electrically connect, for example, the speakers 28 of holder 10 to the video game and video playback device and also provide external power to the video game and video playback device. The plugs 90 and 92, for example, can be used to connect the holder to further possible headphones and an external power supply. The indentation 52 is shown formed on a lower middle wall 54.

In addition, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications may be made to the described embodiment. Moreover, to those skilled in the various arts, the invention itself herein will suggest solutions to other tasks and adaptations for other applications. It is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention. 

1. A portable video game and video playback holder for holding a portable video game and video playback device, comprising: a tiltable tray; a frame portion to which the tray is pivotally mounted, the tray being adapted to retain a portable video game and video playback device; and electrical connectors adapted for electrically connecting the portable video game and video playback holder to a portable video game and video playback device.
 2. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism for the tiltable tray to be retained in at least two discrete tilt positions relative to the frame portion.
 3. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 2, wherein the mechanism for the tiltable tray to be retained in at least two discrete tilt positions relative to the frame portion comprises first connectors on the tiltable tray and second connectors on the frame portion.
 4. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 2, wherein the first connectors comprise lock extensions with at least two apertures formed therein, and the second connectors comprise tabs with protrusion formed, which protrusion is adapted to be retained in one or the other of the at least two apertures depending on whether the tiltable tray is untilted or tilted.
 5. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 1, further comprising detachably attachment means adapted to detachably attached the portable video game and video playback holder to another object.
 6. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 5, wherein the other object is an automotive headrest.
 7. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 1, wherein the detachably attachment means comprises straps.
 8. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 1, wherein the frame portion further comprises a deployable tilt stand.
 9. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 1, wherein the frame portion further comprises audio speakers.
 10. A portable video game and video playback holder for holding a portable video game and video playback device, comprising: a tiltable tray; a frame portion to which the tray is pivotally mounted, the tray being adapted to retain a portable video game and video playback device and including audio speakers; a mechanism for the tiltable tray to be retained in at least two discrete tilt positions relative to the frame portion; detachably attachment means adapted to detachably attached the portable video game and video playback holder to another object; and electrical connectors adapted for electrically connecting the portable video game and video playback holder to a portable video game and video playback device.
 11. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 10, wherein the other object is an automotive headrest.
 12. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 10, wherein the detachably attachment means comprises straps.
 13. The portable video game and video playback holder of claim 10, wherein the frame portion further comprises a deployable tilt stand. 